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Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism

Innovation and collaboration during European Forest Week

23/10/2025

Istanbul, Türkiye – October 2025 

The FAO European Forest Week took place as part of the 43rd Session of FAO’s European Forestry Commission, which was held alongside the Istanbul Forest Innovation Week (IFIW) and a country-led initiative on forest fires – the International Forest Fire Conference, hosted by Türkiye from 20 to 25 October 2025 in Istanbul. The week brought together policymakers, researchers, youth leaders and forestry professionals to advance innovation and resilience in the sector.  

The agenda comprised panels, side events, technical workshops and cultural visits aimed at showcasing innovation ecosystems, wildfire prevention and landscape restoration, while fostering cross-sectoral dialogue and collaboration.  

During the week, the FAO Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism (FLRM) team had a dual focus: supporting youth-centred innovation in forestry, and advancing regional technical coordination for Mediterranean forests through the Silva Mediterranea Secretariat. 

Youth at the heart of innovation 

One of the week’s highlights was Panel 2, “Forest Futures: Intergenerational Dialogue on Building Innovation Ecosystems”. Organized with active involvement from the Mediterranean Youth Task Force (MYTF), the session brought together young and more seasoned professionals, researchers and industry representatives to discuss how innovation and collaboration could shape the future of forestry in Europe and the Mediterranean.  

Opening the session, Ewald Rametsteiner, Deputy Director of FAO’s Forestry Division, stressed that youth were vital drivers of innovation in forestry but needed opportunities, resources and intergenerational support to scale their solutions. 

The young leaders’ contributions included: 

  • Leila Rossa Mouawad (American University of Beirut MYTF) – Advocated for co-creating the future of forests through inclusive collaboration and new ways of thinking. 

  • Ritikaa Gupta (Forest Communicators Network) – Highlighted the role of communication as a bridge between science, policy and society. 

  • Uğur Karakoç (General Directorate of Forestry, Türkiye) – Showcased Türkiye’s technological pathways for resilient forests and youth empowerment. 

  • Burçu Berk (CREAF, Spain; founder of FORESTORA) – Demonstrated how entrepreneurship fosters innovation and resilience. 

  • Edoardo Nevola (World Wide Fund for Nature [WWF] Italy) – Stressed the importance of community collaboration for effective fire management and restoration. 

  • Elaine Parlade (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna) – Explored creativity and citizen engagement in climate-smart forestry. 

  • Gülsah Balamut (Kastamonu Entegre) – Presented circular bioeconomy solutions from forest-based industries. 

  • Marina Martínez Miguel (University of Valladolid; International Forestry Student Association [IFSA] Palencia) – Introduced adaptive forest management using open data and intelligent tools. 

  • Esin Batir (United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Youth Task Force) – Linked forests and water systems through integrated restoration. 

  • Stojan Ivanovic (BOKU University, Vienna) – Discussed collaborative networks shaping innovation funding in Europe.  

An interactive dialogue, co-moderated by Anouar Lihyaoui, reinforced the Youth Call for Action, highlighting how mentorship and policy engagement could empower the next generation. 

Side event to present the report on the status of Mediterranean forests 2025  

The side event “Restoring Mediterranean forests: the new edition of the status of Mediterranean forests (SoMF 2025) and enhancing the regional dynamic” gathered experts to discuss forest trends, fire data and restoration strategies. Ümit Turhan, Vice-Chair of Silva Mediterranea and Deputy Head of Türkiye’s General Directorate of Forestry, opened the session by stressing the importance of regional cooperation. 

The FLRM team presented key findings from the SoMF 2025 report, including other wooded lands, slowing forest growth, and the role of post-fire restoration under the United NationsDecade on Ecosystem Restoration and the World Restoration Flagship, “Restoring Mediterranean Forests”. Collaboration and integrated monitoring systems were shown to be essential for sustainable management. 

Marta Álvarez Moreno, Technical Adviser at the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, discussed wildfire trends, stating that over 22 000 fires and 5.5 million hectares had burnt between 2010 and 2023, showing an upward trend. She presented the 2025–2030 workplan for integrated fire management and innovation. 

Closing the event, Mohamed Naoufel Ben Haha, Chair of Silva Mediterranea and Director General of Forestry in Tunisia, called for maintaining momentum in restoration and strengthening cooperation. The session reaffirmed the Mediterranean region’s commitment to forest restoration, fire management and collaborative action for resilient landscapes. 

Silva Mediterranea updates 

FAO’s Silva Mediterranea committee reported major achievements since 2023, including organizing the eighth Mediterranean Forest Week in Barcelona and the launch of a regional road map for forest conservation and restoration, with the Mediterranean Forest Initiative. The proposed initiative aims to scale restoration through multistakeholder collaboration. 

Recent knowledge products include a special Mediterranean edition of Unasylva and “The status of Mediterranean forests 2025” report, developed by 80 authors from 44 institutions across 18 countries. Member countries such as Spain and Türkiye commended FAO’s role in fostering partnerships, organizing technical workshops on forest and fire management, and engaging youth networks like MYTF. They recommended continued support for resource mobilization, technical publications, and implementing the Mediterranean Forest Initiative.

By amplifying the voices of youth, sharing knowledge and strengthening partnerships across Europe and the Mediterranean, the FAO FLRM reaffirmed its leadership in building resilient and inclusive forest landscapes for the future. 

Carolina Gallo and Lucia Rivera